Handle divider construction



May 12, 1970 -T. K. DEWS 3,511,434

I HANDLE DIVIDER CONSTRUCTION Filed June 5, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR. THOMAS K. DEWS j mwma zr.

ATTORNEYS T. K. DEWS HANDLE DIVIDER CONSTRUCTION May 12, 1970 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 5, 1968 INVENTOR THOMAS K. DEWS BY Wi d/CoATTORNEYS May 12, 1970 I T. K. DEWS 3,511,434

HANDLE DIVIDER CONSTRUCTION Filed June 5, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIGQFIGIO INVEN'TOR. THOMAS K. DEWS ATTORNEYS United States Patent Int. Cl.B65d 5746, 25/28, 75/00 US. Cl. 229-52 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE This invention relates to a handle divider construction foruse with paperboard containers commonly used to carry bottled beverages.It consists essentially of an envelope formation that acts as a dividerwall in the container and that has opposed panels that normally house amultiply handle. The multiply handle is fragibly connected to theenvelope construction and when severed therefrom can be withdrawnthrough an opening at the upper edge of the divider wall. The multiplyhandle has a guide panel which has a greater extent than the otherpanels and is adapted to guide the multiply handle upwardly after it hasbeen severed from the envelope and is raised to an operative position inwhich the handle gripping portion thereof extends above the divider walland a shoulder portion thereof is in locked engagement with the foldedupper edge of the envelope.

This invention relates to a handle divider unit for a paperboard carton.

Handle divider units having a divider wall that divides individualcontainers in a carton and a handle associated with the wall that isadapted to extend from a retracted position to an extended position arewell known. They are very extensively used and require a substantialamount of paperboard to construct. Their cost, therefore, is notinsignificant, but their utility is so great that the industry isWilling to put up with the relatively high cost. The unit must, ofcourse, be strong because a carton full of bottles of beverage has asubstantial weight and it is the building of sufiicient strength intothe unit that restricts one from economizing on paperboard from which itis made.

It is an object of this invention to provide a divider handle unit thatis relatively cheap to manufacture and that, at the same time, has thedesired strength and convenience qualities.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a handle that can beconveniently mounted to any type of carton.

With these and other objects in view, a divider handle unit according tothis invention comprises an envelope divider wall formed from two.panels folded to define an upper edge, the upper edge being formed witha handle opening. A multiply handle having an extensible portion isadapted to extend through the handle opening and laterally extendingshoulders at the base of an extensible portion that is adapted to engagewith the inside of the upper edge of the envelope divider to limit theoutward extent of the multiply handle through the opening is provided.The multiply handle has a guide panel and a guide carrier panel. Theguide panel is hinged to the guide carrier panel and the guide carrierpanel is stricken from one side of the envelope and frangibly connectedthereto. The multiply handle has a third panel stricken from the otherside of the envelope divider. The guide panel is coextensive with theguide carrier panel at the extensible portion of the multiply handle butextends be- 3,511,434 Patented May 12, 1970 yond the guide carrier panellaterally of the extensible portion to enter between the sides of theenvelope divider. The divider has means for securing it into a carton.The invention will be clearly understood after reference to thefollowing detailed specification read in conjunction with the drawings.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a blank for forming a divider handle unit;

FIG. 2 is a view of the divider handle unit folded;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view of a carton as it is being set up with the divider unitshown in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 shows the carton in a set-up position and partly broken away;

FIG. 6 is a view along the line 66 of FIG. 5, but before the handleportion is extended as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view along the line 6-6 showing the handle divider unit inthe position illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a furtherembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view along line 9-9 of FIG. 8, and

FIG. 10 is a view like FIG. 9 but with the handle raised.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally refers to a cartonof the end loading type having a divider handle unit, generallyindicated by the numeral 12, extending longitudinally thereof betweenits end walls. Cartons of this general type are well known. In use thecontents are loaded through an open end wall. They have an advantageover a top loading carton in cases where bottled goods are involvedbecause the loading operation can be performed without the dropping ofthe contents into an open top closure. In end loading it is usual topush the contents in a horizontal direction into an open end of thecarton and then close the flaps that constitute the end wall to seal thecarton.

This invention is concerned primarily with the construction of a dividerhandle unit that can be conveniently mounted in an end loading carton,but which also has utility in any carton where a divider handle unit isrequired.

The divider handle unit for the carton illustrated is blanked from asingle piece of paperboard.

The embodiment illustrated comprises a divider Wall, generally indicatedby the numeral 12, and formed with panels 14 and 16 folded about acrease line 18 to form an envelope structure for a multiply handlehaving an extensible handle portion, generally indicated by the numeral36, that is adapted to extend through an opening in the upper edge andon the crease line 18 thereof, as will be apparent.

The divider handle unit blank has panels 20, 22, 26, 28, 30 and 32, alljoined by fold lines where indicated, with the exception that the panels28 and 16 and the panels 30 and 1 4 are separated from each other, asindicated by a through cut, except at spaced apart points 34 which areadapted to hold the parts in place, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6,but to be broken in use to permit the handle to separate from theenvelope divider wall 12, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.

To form the divider handle unit for insertion into the carton, panel 20is first folded over panel 22 and then the panels 20 and 22 are foldedover the handle portion of panel 26 to give a multiply extensibleportion 36 to the handle, as will be explained later.

Panel 26 is a guide panel, which in use slides between the outsidepanels 16 and 14 of the envelope divider wall, and the next step in theconstruction of the divider handle unit is to :fold the structure aboutthe fold line between guide panel 26 and wall panel 1 6. It will benoted that the edge of the shoulder portion of guide panel 26 overliesand extends beyond the edge of the shoulder portion of handle portion28, but that the handle portion of panel 26 coincides with handleportion of panel 28.

The handle divider unit is completed by folding the previously foldedsections about the line 18 to form an envelope unit having an envelopedivider wall formed by the panels 16 and 14 and a multiply handle 36having an extensible portion formed by the panels 20, 22 and the handleportions of the panels 26, 28 and 30, as shown in FIG. 3, and alaterally extending shoulder formed by the free edge of guide panel 26at the base of the extensible portion, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The handle panel 14 preferably extends lower than its companion panel 16and is preferably adapted to extend to the bottom of the carton withinwhich it is mounted.

As indicated above, the unit as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings isformed from a single piece, but the multily handle thereof is connectedto the wall portions thereof only at spaced apart points so that it canbe broken from the divider Wall to permit the extensible grippingportion of the handle, generally indicated by the numeral 36, to bewithdrawn through an opening in the top of the carton, as will beexplained later.

The points 34, at which the handle is initially and severably connectedto the divider wall, are located preferably at the fold line 18 and onthe lower portion of the Wall 14, as indicated. When the points 34 arelocated in this Way, the edges of the Walls 14 and 16 at the shouldersof the handle section tend to spring outwardly to form an opening, asillustrated in FIG. 6, so that the handle section, when severed from thedivider wall, can smoothly slide upwardly and into the envelope section.As indicated above, guide panel 26 extends beyond the outer ply 28 ofthe handle and by reason of its greater extent guides the handle unitinto the envelope section after the handle unit has been severedtherefrom and as it is drawn upwardly to cause the upper edge of theguide panel to engage with the fold of the divider at the crease line18.

Sliding handles in cartons of this general type and their use are, ofcourse, well known, but the concept of this particular divider handleunit is a handle stricken from a single blank and having plies strickenfrom the sides of the envelope construction of the divider wall and alsohaving a guide panel 26 carried by one of the handle plies which guidethe handle upwardly into the envelope structure as the handle portion isdrawn through the opening in the fold line along the crease line 18 ofthe envelope divider wall.

Glue is applied to the blank, as indicated by the hatched lines atpanels 20, 26, 28 and 30 to secure the unit together as it is folded inthe manner described above.

The divider unit has flaps 38 at each of its ends for the purpose ofsecuring it into a carton.

Flaps 38 cooperate with the specially formed flaps that constitute theend wall of the container to secure the divider into position.

In this connection, it will be noted that the container, generallyindicated by the numeral 10, has similar end walls, each of which isconstituted by a pair of spaced apart flaps 40 and 42 hinged to the topwall of the container, a pair of flaps 44 and 46 hinged to the bottomwall of the container, a flap 48 hinged to a side wall of the containerand a flap 50 hinged to the opposite side wall of the container.

The divider unit, generally indicated by the numeral 12, is securedrigidly in position to extend longitudinally of the carton by firstfolding flaps 40 and 44 to a closed position, then folding the flap 38to overlie flaps 40 and 44 on their outer side and then folding flaps 42and 46 into position, and finally folding flaps 48 and 50 into position.Flap 38 carries an adhesive so that it bonds with flaps 40 and 44. Flaps48 and 50 carry an adhesive so that they bond with the flaps 40, 44, 38,42 and 46.

The divider unit is secured into position in identical fashion at eachend, and it will be apparent that when this is done, the divider unit issecurely mounted within the carton 10 to divide it in a longitudinaldirection. The carton is especially useful for carrying bottles ofbeverage with one row of bottles on each side of the divider unit 12.

The top wall of the carton is provided with flaps 51 which can bemanually parted to permit one to insert ones fingers into the carton togrip the handle portion 36 of the handle unit, sever the connections 34with a sharp pull and withdraw it from the carton to the positionindicated in FIG. 5. The points of connection 34 between the handle andthe divider wall can be easily broken by an upward pull to permit thehandle to be withdrawn through the opening in the top edge of thedivider unit. In transit the handle portion supports the container onthe shoulder portion of guide panel 26.

An advantage of the construction is that one can effectively increasethe number of plies of the extensible handle :portion 36 of the unit toimpart to this section the necessary strength. The strength of theextensible handle portion is critical. One can, of course, obtain thestrength by increasing the thickness of the paperboard from which thedivider is made. Increasing the thickness of the entire blank increasesthe cost and the wall portion of the divider need not be of an increasedthickness. With this invention one can obtain additional plies in thehandle portion by means of the panels 20 and 22, which add strength onlyto the handle portion. In the construction the handle portion is fiveply. The divider wall is oneor two-ply, depending upon the location. Oneor two plies of almost any thickness of board is sufficient for thedivider wall, and one can construct the divider unit of this inventionof a relatively thin board because one can build up the necessarystrength in the handle section by means of additional plies.

To remove the contents, the top wall of the container is broken and, inthis connection, the top wall is formed with a weakened line along itsends as at 54 and tabs 56 that can be lifted. One merely lifts the taband rips the top wall back. The opening, once formed can easily beenlarged.

It will be apparent that, as the opening is formed to get at thecontents of the carton, the union between the divider and the carton isnot disturbed and that the carrier divider handle unit is fullyoperative after the carton has been opened.

It will be noted that the panel 14 extends to the bottom of the cartonand also that the lower edge of the severable handle extends to thebottom of the carton. Thus, after the handle has been raised and used,it can be returned into the carton and the bottom of the handle willlocate the handle in its original position with respect to the bottom ofthe carton so that it can be conveniently grabbed for subsequent use.

FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention whereinauxiliary means are provided for holding the envelope in an openposition to receive the multiply handle and where there is an additionalflip along the bottom edge of the divider handle unit for securement tothe bottom of the carton. In this embodiment similar numbers refer tocommon elements in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7. The additional meansfor maintaining the envelope open comprise an inwardly extending boss102 formed in each of the panels 16 and 14 laterally of each end of thehandle portion 36, so that the inwardly extending bosses cooperate tomaintain the panels 14 and 16 in a flared position when they are in theenvelope formation whereby the envelope formation is open to receive thehandle portion when it is lifted. In this embodiment, the severableconnection between the multiply handle is along the portion where itconnects with the flap 100. Flap 100 is adhesively secured to the bottomof the carton.

What I. claim as my invention is:

1. A paperboard divider handle unit for a carbon comprising an envelopedivider wall formed from two panels folded to define an upper edge, amultiply handle having an extensible portion adapted to be contained bysaid envelope and also adapted to be extensible from said envelope, saidmultiply handle having a guide panel and a guide carrier panel, saidguide carrier panel being stricken from one of said two panels of saidenvelope, a frangible connection between said multiply handle and atleast one of said two panels, said multiply handle having a third panelstricken from the other of said two panels of said envelope, the upperedge of said handle being included in said uper edge of said envelopeWhen said handle is contained by said envelope, said handle beingextensible from said envelope divider when said frangible connection isbroken to provide a handle opening in said upper edge of said dividerthrough which said extensible portion of said handle can extend, saidmultiply handle having laterally extending shoulders at the base of saidextensible portion adapted to engage with the inside of the upper edgeof said envelope to limit the outward extent of said multiply handlethrough said handle opening, said guide panel being laminated with saidguide carrier panel at said extensible portion of said multiply handle,said guide panel extending beyond said guide carrier panel laterally ofsaid extensible portion to enter between the sides of said envelope, andmeans for securing said divider in a carton.

2. A divider handle unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the extensibleportion of said multiply handle has at least one additional ply at thegripping portion thereof.

3. A divider handle unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the extensibleportion of said multiply handle has a plurality of additional plies atthe gripping portion thereof.

4. A divider handle unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the extensibleportion of said multiply handle has at least one additional ply at thegripping portion thereof hinged to said guide panel.

5. A divider handle unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the extensibleportion of said multiply handle has a series of hingedly connectedadditional plies at the gripping portion thereof, said series beinghingedly connected to said guide panel.

6. A paperboard divider handle unit, as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidpanels of the said envelope divider wall have boss means cooperatingbetween said two pane s to maintain said envelope in an open position toreceive said multiply handle as said extensible portion is caused toextend through said handle opening in use.

7. A paperboard divider handle unit for a carton, as claimed in claim 1,wherein said handle has a portion that is adapted to extend to thebottom of said container when it is in a retracted position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,642,116 9/1927 Krueger.2,239,856 4/1941 Poppe.

FOREIGN PATENTS 672,258 10/1963 Canada.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner S. E. LIPMAN, Assistant Examiner US.Cl. X.R 22010 5, 118

